Ibukun Babalola

Ibukun Babalola is a Nigerian-American soprano, educator, and production artist currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Ibukun is an alumna of The University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree and was a principal performer with The University of Alabama Opera Theatre. She also holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and frequently appeared on stages throughout the state of Mississippi, including performances with Mississippi Opera, Natchez Festival of Music, FestivalSouth, and Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company.

Ibukun is a dynamic, sensitive, and versatile performer whose range spans from early music and standard repertoire to modern and contemporary works, including opera, art song, and popular music. Her operatic highlights include performances as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Yum-Yum in The Mikado. In 2019, she made her hometown debut with Capitol City Opera with whom she has since performed the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, covered the role of Juliette in Roméo et Juliette, and has been featured several concerts, most notably in title roles in concert productions of La fille du régiment and Treemonisha.

Ibukun also has extensive experience in production, direction, and management, beginning as a production assistant, then as an assistant director and apprentice to several nationally acclaimed opera stage directors. Her directing work is intimate, emotional, and engaging, and has been featured by The University of Alabama Opera Theatre and Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company. In May 2023, Ibukun produced, directed, and performed Wants & Wishes, aconceptual recital presented in collaboration with pianist and producer/director Jack W. Wagner.

As a voice teacher and performance coach, Ibukun is known for her holistic pedagogical approach that uses old school ideas, modern voice science, and mind-body wellness concepts to integrate classical technique with contemporary and culturally relevant performance practice. Her successful students win local auditions and honors such as Georgia Music Educators Association All-State and District Honor Choirs, Georgia High School Association Literary Competitions, and the Governor's Honors Program. They also achieve at the regional, national, and international levels in competitions and fellowships such as the Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition, NPR's From The Top Program, and the World Choir Games. Ibukun's current and former students further their studies at Morehouse College, Spelman College, Alabama State University, Jackson State University, Loyola University New Orleans, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Harrower Summer Opera Program, Walnut Hill School of the Arts Summer Voice Intensive, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and they excel in the professional world, including in the touring company of SIX the Musical. Ibukun most recently held an Instructor of Voice position at Spelman College, and she is currently on faculty at the AMP Academy at the Atlanta Music Project.